New Socceroos Coach

[ozzie owl]

Tony Popovic new Australian Coach

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/test- ... jYEldJPSSQ

[Old Master]

Great Appointment!

I wish him every success.

[Con M]

Great Appointment!

I wish him every success.

Agreed. But success will be that he must get that 2nd spot after Japan and go direct to the 2026 World Cup Finals at USA/Mexico/Canada.

BTW, I’m warming to FIFA’s idea of 48 finalists in the 2026 Tournament. At first like many others I thought it’s all about money and FIFA’s thirst for the lucre. But many Countries were clamouring for more Finals spots. Just like the Olympics, everyone wants to be at the main table.

The format isn’t bad either with 12 groups of four and each country guaranteed 3 games. The top 2 in each group and eight third-placed teams go through to the knockout Round-of-32, then the knockout Round-of-Sixteen, the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final.

It is really only that one extra Round-of-32 game Countries will have to contend with. They will have huge squads and plenty of mandatory rest days in between.

So going back to Popovic’s appointment, he MUST get Australia to the 2026 Finals without the torture of any inter-Continental play-off. After all Australia qualified when there were only 16 Finalists (1974) and every World Cup since 2006 when there were 32 Finalists. With 2026 having 48 Finalists Australia must be there.

[eagleboy]

Popovic taking the broom to the Socceroos day one

Socceroos assistant René Meulensteen has been let go by Tony Popovic from his role along goalkeeper coach John Crawley. Others are expected to follow


https://x.com/NicholasLennon0/status/18 ... 4865154354


Hayden Foxe and Marko Rudan are currently the front runners for the Socceroos Assistant Manager role


https://x.com/NicholasLennon0/status/18 ... 4694447394

[SP999]

Popovic taking the broom to the Socceroos day one

Socceroos assistant René Meulensteen has been let go by Tony Popovic from his role along goalkeeper coach John Crawley. Others are expected to follow


https://x.com/NicholasLennon0/status/18 ... 4865154354


Hayden Foxe and Marko Rudan are currently the front runners for the Socceroos Assistant Manager role


https://x.com/NicholasLennon0/status/18 ... 4694447394

Rudan would be my preference.

[Michael]

Mass Cleanout!!
https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/subwa ... aff-update

Football Australia can confirm the following changes within the current Subway Socceroos’ coaching staff.
Assistant Coaches René Meulensteen and Luke Wilkshire, Goalkeeper Coach John Crawley, Head of Sports Science Fabian Ehrmann, Senior Technical Analyst Adam Barbera and Advisor Michael Zappone will no longer be involved with the senior men’s national team.

Ehrmann has been part of the Socceroos’ program for the past decade including the victorious AFC Asian Cup 2015™ campaign and the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar. In recent times, Ehrmann’s remit has extended to include leading on Sports Science for all national teams.

Crawley has been a mainstay of the Socceroos’ coaching staff since joining on a permanent basis in 2019, while Barbera joined the program in 2020, providing analyst support to not only the Socceroos but all men’s national teams.

Wilkshire joined the Subway Socceroos’ program in a full-time capacity in mid-2024 following various stints with the senior men’s national team and the Subway Young Socceroos.

Meulensteen served as part of the Subway Socceroos’ coaching staff for a six-year span, which included two AFC Asian Cup™ campaigns (2019, 2024) and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

On departing Football Australia, Meulensteen said: "As I conclude my journey with the Football Australia, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the camaraderie, passion, and dedication that I have experienced over these past six years.

“I’d like to thank Arnie, the staff and players for making this journey such a special one. Together, we have fostered growth and innovation in our beautiful game. While I am excited for the next chapter, I will always cherish the memories and friendships made here.

“Keep pushing the boundaries of excellence, your commitment to football is truly inspiring."

Football Australia would like to thank all six gentlemen for their significant and committed contribution to the Subway Socceroos’ program.